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Monday, Apr 29, 2019 01:58 PM

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How Did Experts Grade the 49ers 2019 Draft Class?

Keiana Martin

Team Reporter

Now that the 2019 NFL Draft has come to a close, it’s customary for pundits to assess each teams’ improvement over the course of the three-day event. Although teams may not know the true value of each pick for a few years down the road, here's a look at NFL analysts' post-draft grades for the San Francisco 49ers eight new additions.

“The 49ers picked the best player in the 2019 NFL Draft in Nick Bosa. Adding him to a D-line that already includes Dee Ford means the Niners will greatly improve their pass rush, as they generated just 37 sacks in 2018 (bottom third of the league). Bosa's power comes into play as a pass rusher and run defender, and his career floor comparison is Chris Long -- that's pretty, pretty good.

"Samuel's ability to work inside and outside, his toughness, and his strong hands made him a no-brainer pick for the receiver-needy Niners in Round 2. Hurd could be a big steal if he continues to grow as a receiver. The selection of two wideouts was somewhat expected, given their lack of talent at the position.”

“Before this weekend, San Francisco had minimal talent at wide receiver. Getting Deebo Samuel at No. 36 was a coup. Kyle Shanahan is a great play caller who can scheme success for receivers. Now he has a good one to go along with 2018 second-rounder Dante Pettis. The 49ers added another receiving option in Jalen Hurd at No. 67. He can do a little of everything.”

“Bosa is the crown jewel of the class, and Samuel was a great fit and a player the 49ers had been targeting since the Senior Bowl. Hurd is a fascinating prospect, and he gives them much-needed size at the position, but he still needs some positional refinement. After a strong start to the draft, this class just leaves us wanting more. We wonder if they’ll get more than three considerable contributors out of the group and feel there were too many unanswered voids.”

“Nick Bosa’s arrival could catapult this defense to the top of the NFC West. Sound extreme? Consider that San Francisco’s biggest problem last year was an anemic pass rush that not only made their Seahawks-style Cover 3 scheme impotent but also led to an astonishingly low seven forced turnovers on the season (four fewer than history’s previous low, set by four other teams). Suddenly the 49ers, with Bosa and ex-Chief Dee Ford bookending stud DeForest Buckner and gifted third-year pro Solomon Thomas (who must play better), have a threatening nickel pass rush to go in front of a linebacking unit that added run-and-chase dynamo Kwon Alexander alongside last year’s third-round sensation, Fred Warner. Without Bosa, all of these pieces would not click together so crisply.”

“If Garoppolo is healthy, this is a team that could make some noise in the NFC West. But he needed better pass-catchers, which is why I like the Niners taking Deebo Samuel (No. 36) and Jalen Hurd (No. 67) on Day 2. Samuel is the best slot receiver in the class, while Hurd is a 6-foot-5 athletic specimen who's still learning the intricacies of running routes. Add those receivers to a depth chart with Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis, and you like the upside. (Don't forget Tevin Coleman, who was a nice free-agent signing.)”

“John Lynch started with the no-brainer pick of Bosa, the best overall talent in the draft, giving the 49ers a good base. He got creative with Samuel and Hurd, and Smith was good value late. This class pales in comparison to Lynch's recent work, however.”

Bleacher Report: n/a (listed as one of nine teams who improved the most through the draft)

“Few teams are going to get more out of their first two picks than the San Francisco 49ers. Nick Bosa figures to be an annual candidate to crack double-digit sacks, and Deebo Samuel is going to catch a ton of passes from Jimmy Garoppolo in Kyle Shanahan's offense.”